Are We on the Brink of A Nuclear War?

The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian forces is the biggest conflict Europe has seen in decades. According to the UN’s Secretary-General, “The prospect of nuclear conflict, once unthinkable, is now back within the realm of possibility”.

A recent study by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that 70% of Americans fear that Ukraine’s invasion could spiral into World War III and nuclear warfare.

Out of the 12,700 nuclear weapons wielded by 9 countries in total, the US and Russia hold 5,428 and 5,977 nuclear weapons respectively.

While it is true that if the conflict spills into any of the NATO countries bordering Ukraine, the conflict will escalate tremendously, kicking off maybe even a third world war, do understand that the chances of this happening are minuscule.

We do not believe in fear-mongering. If Russia does detonate a nuclear weapon, it will face the brunt of the world’s strongest powers and the possible annihilation of all its greatest cities.

As established in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. 

However, as many have pointed out the threat of a nuclear war is never exactly zero. With power comes the abuse of power, and the Russo-Ukrainian war has left us wondering if the world on tethering on the precipice of a nuclear war?

Where Should You Seek Shelter in the Event of a Nuclear Blast?

Nuclear bomb shelters and tornado shelters are strikingly similar in the fact that both require you to lay low in a place that is deep and away from the periphery of the structure. The deeper in the ground, the better. Both a bomb and a tornado involve massive amounts of air pressure and thus, you are suggested to stay away from windows, doors, and walls that could cave.

What Is a Fall-Out Shelter?

A fall-out shelter is built deep underground and is usually comprised of steel and concrete. The fall-out shelter protects you from the initial detonation and the radioactive fall-out that follows 10 to 15 minutes later.

A fall-out shelter or nuclear bomb shelter can also be multi-purposed as a tornado shelter.

There are three factors that shelter owners should consider.

Distance

The further away you are from the bomb site, the more protected you are. Similarly, the greater the distance between you and the fall-out particles the better. A basement shelter for example offers more protection since each layer of the structure absorbs some amount of the radiation.

Shielding

Fall-out shelters should be made of heavy, dense material - concrete, bricks, earth, and steel being the most common options. Several companies offer multilayer protection.

Time

Radiation becomes less intense with time. Two weeks after the detonation, the fall-out radiation will have decreased to 1% of its initial level. Proper planning and the security of an underground shelter are crucial to surviving a nuclear disaster.

Underground Bunkers and Safe Rooms with EF5 Tornado Shelters

Voted the best storm shelter company in Edmond and Oklahoma City for four years in a row, EF5 offers FEMA-approved shelters. Our highly-trained crew specializes in convenient installation and maximum protection.